President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated what the Federal Government says is the largest lithium processing plant in West Africa, located in Nasarawa State, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to processing its mineral resources locally rather than exporting them in raw form.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima during the inauguration ceremony, the President said the facility marks a significant milestone in the country’s drive to expand its solid minerals sector through value addition, industrialisation, and job creation.
Situated in the Endo community of Nasarawa Local Government Area, the plant has the capacity to process 6,000 metric tonnes of lithium daily and up to three million metric tonnes annually.
Tinubu stressed that the true value of natural resources lies not in their abundance but in a nation’s ability to convert them into economic growth through strong institutions, industrial development, and strategic investments.
He noted that Nigeria’s focus must shift from simply extracting minerals to processing them domestically and manufacturing finished products that generate greater economic value.
Describing lithium as one of the world’s most important strategic minerals, the President highlighted its growing demand in the production of electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy systems, and other advanced technologies. He added that industrial projects such as the new plant are essential for creating employment opportunities and boosting local production.
According to the company operating the facility, the project has already created more than 1,000 direct jobs and over 2,000 indirect employment opportunities since operations commenced.
The inauguration comes shortly after the Federal Government announced the discovery of a major polymetallic mineral province in Kaduna State containing significant deposits of lithium, gold, nickel, copper, platinum group metals, and rare earth elements, further strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global critical minerals market.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the commissioning of the plant demonstrates the success of the government’s policy of promoting local value addition within the mining industry. He reiterated that Nigeria is committed to ending the export of raw minerals without local processing.
The minister added that the country’s long-term objective is to manufacture lithium-based products locally, including batteries, electric vehicles, mobile phones, solar panels, and other technologies powered by lithium.
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule described the project as a major investment that will stimulate economic growth and attract more investors to the state’s abundant mineral resources, which include lithium, gold, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, gemstones, and marble.
Speaking on behalf of Diamond New Energy, Yu Chongqiang said the company is investing not only in mining but also in mineral processing, infrastructure development, workforce training, and community partnerships, with the goal of building an integrated industrial ecosystem that supports local manufacturing and Africa’s clean energy transition.
